Interview: Rihanna talks Valerian

Check out Rihanna’s interview with the Valerian team above before the film hits theaters July 21.

VALERIAN AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS is the visually spectacular new adventure film from Luc Besson, the legendary director of The Professional, The Fifth Element and Lucy, based on the ground-breaking comic book series which inspired a generation of artists, writers and filmmakers.

In the 28th century, Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) are a team of special operatives charged with maintaining order throughout the human territories. Under assignment from the Minister of Defense, the two embark on a mission to the astonishing city of Alpha—an ever-expanding metropolis where species from all over the universe have converged over centuries to share knowledge, intelligence and cultures with each other. There is a mystery at the center of Alpha, a dark force which threatens the peaceful existence of the City of a Thousand Planets, and Valerian and Laureline must race to identify the marauding menace and safeguard not just Alpha, but the future of the universe.

The iconic superstar has proved time and time again that she is a force to be reckoned since her early days, through her music, fashion and beauty ventures, but also her various acting roles, which have truly showed her versatility and superb talent.

From early work such as Bring It On: All or Nothing to this past year’s sci-fi adventure Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, Rihanna has proved she has what it takes to make it in the acting world. Here’s a look back at Rihanna’s roles in both film and television.

Bring It On: All or Nothing (2006)

The cheerleading comedy finds a transfer student trying to join the cheerleading squad of a rough high school, where she not only faces off against the new school’s head cheerleader, but against her former school in a cheer competition as well. Rihanna makes a cameo appearance in the film, where she announces the cheerleading competition and declares that the winners shall appear in a music video with her. A small role, yes, but as good a starting place for Rihanna as any.

Battleship

In this sci-fi action film, we find Rihanna far from the comforts of the stage, thrust into a war filled with uncertainty. The 2012 film based off the board game of the same name follows a fleet of ships that battle a series of unfamiliar foes, where Rihanna stars as Cora Raikes, a weapons specialist aboard one of the ships. Director Peter Berg stated in an interview with GQ that he came up with the idea to cast Rihanna after he realized she could act when she performed a skit on Saturday Night Live. Rihanna later went on to state that she accepted the role because she wanted to “do something badass.”

This Is the End

The 2013 end of the world comedy directed by Seth Rogen features a hilarious appearance from Rihanna, who is attending a party at James Franco’s house where she and numerous other celebrities are faced with the doom that will be brought on from the impending apocalypse. Though brief, Rihanna’s cameo showcases her comedic chops and versatility as an actress.

Annie

Starring in a movie-within-a-movie, Rihanna plays the villain of “MoonQuake Lake,” the flick that Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhané Wallis go to see together in the musical adaptation. The fake film also co-stars Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher.

Home

This 2015 film from DreamWorks finds Rihanna cast in the lead role as Gratuity “Tip” Tucci, a teenage girl who befriends an alien on the run from his own people. During a round of press interviews for the film, Rihanna and her costars Jim Parsons and Steve Martin were asked about the possibility of life on other planets — to which Rihanna suggests keeping an open mind.

Bates Motel

On the hit A&E series, Rihanna starred as Marion Crane, the troubled secretary who played an iconic role in the 1960 horror classic Psycho, which the series is based off of. Taking over the character from Janet Leigh, Rihanna brought a modern and more relatable version to the screen for viewers to identify with. Viewers who were hoping for a remake of the infamous murder scene were out of luck, however, as Rihanna’s version of Crane survived and her lover, Sam Loomis, meet his untimely demise instead.

Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets

Meet Bubble, the shape-shifting burlesque dancer portrayed by Rihanna in this fantasy film about two special operatives who must race to identify the evil that threatens the future of their home and the universe. Director Luc Besson contacted RiRi’s manager to offer her the small but crucial role, to which she accepted, and shot around her jam-packed touring and promotions schedule.

Ocean’s Eight

Set to be released Summer 2018, Ocean’s Eight will find Sandra Bullock’s character, Debbie Ocean, attempting to pull off a heist at New York City’s star-studded Met Gala, following in the footsteps of her infamous family. Rihanna will star as Nine Ball, a computer genius and hacker who aids Debbie in her quest, and will star along other such acting stars as Cate Blanchett, Mindy Kaling and Sarah Paulson.

Full “Ocean’s 8” trailer is here!

Sandra Bullock’s Debbie Ocean, the sister of Danny Ocean, is out on parole and not ready to go back to the simple life just yet. She has another heist in her, this time robbing some jewels from the Met Gala. But first she has to assemble a team, with Cate Blanchett, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, Sarah Paulson, Awkwafina, and Helena Bonham Carter.

“Why do you have to do this?” Blanchett’s character asks Bullock’s Ocean. “Because it’s what I’m good at,” Ocean responds.

See her get her group of pros together in the first trailer for the long-anticipated Ocean’s 8, which hits theaters on June 8.

First Ocean’s 8 poster revealed

Back in January 2017, the first official photo from the cast of Ocean’s 8 was revealed and had the whole film world talking about it.

Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Village Roadshow Pictures’ first look at “Ocean’s 8” from one of New York City’s most iconic locales: the subway. In Summer 2018, the tide will turn as (L-r) Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) attempts to pull off the heist of the century at New York City’s star-studded annual Met Gala. Her first stop is to assemble the perfect crew: Lou (Cate Blanchett); Nine Ball (Rihanna); Amita (Mindy Kaling); Constance (Awkwafina); Rose (Helena Bonham Carter); Daphne Kluger (Anne Hathaway); and Tammy (Sarah Paulson). Photo by Barry Wetcher.

And now, 11 months later, we finally get to see its first poster! Get ready to watch it in June 2018.